New Jersey recently launched the PPE Supplier Registry to connect suppliers of personal protective equipment (PPE) that can prevent the spread of COVID-19 with potential buyers.
Wholesale vendors with PPE inventory such as surgical or other protective masks, hospital gowns, hand sanitizer, or COVID-19 test kits can submit details on supplies they have available and hospitals, medical organizations, and private businesses can purchase. The registry is a joint effort by the Office of Governor Murphy, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Office of Innovation, and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s (NJEDA) Office of Economic Transformation.
“One of the most distressing challenges related to the coronavirus outbreak has been ensuring healthcare and other essential workers have the protective gear they need to safeguard their own health and that of their loved ones while caring for others,” said State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio. “Connecting organizations that need to protect their employees with companies producing and selling PPE is vital to protecting our state’s essential workers and paving the way to recovery.”
To date, more than 1,000 businesses have registered on the database, providing more than 2,500 products. The database is updated several times per week, and is easily filtered and sorted by product type, size, payment terms, location of supplier, and several other criteria. Suppliers who wish to be included in the Registry should fill out the PPE Supplier Registry intake form.“The PPE Supplier Registry is another example of how technology and innovative thinking can enable solutions to complex challenges,” said Chief Innovation Officer Beth Simone Noveck.
“We are excited to advance this initiative that will help both suppliers and those in need of essential safety items navigate this crisis.” “The lack of speedy and reliable access to PPE has been one of the most persistent challenges we have faced in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak,” said Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police and Director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management.
“Establishing a centralized clearinghouse where organizations and businesses that need PPE can connect directly with suppliers is critical to speeding up our efforts to get protective equipment to workers who need it most.” “The coronavirus outbreak is first and foremost a public health crisis. Restarting our economy hinges largely on whether businesses have the ability to protect their employees and customers,” said NJEDA CEO Tim Sullivan. “The PPE Supplier Registry provides access to resources that will enable more New Jerseyans to return to work without putting themselves or their communities at risk.”
